Rail project up for public scrutiny

Elise Gee

COSTA MESA -- The public is invited to comment today on results of

a report detailing the environmental effects of the proposed 28-mile

Centerline rail project, which has anticipated stops in the South Coast

Metro area of the city.

The Orange County Transportation Authority released the report Sept.

3, and last week the Costa Mesa City Council adopted its own plan for the

project.

The 28-mile light rail project would extend from Fullerton to Irvine

with stops in the South Coast Metro area. Plans for a connection to John

Wayne Airport are also being explored.

The study looks at three alternatives in addition to not building the

rail:

* The elevated alternative would cost more than $1 billion and would

enter Costa Mesa from Bristol Street, proceed east on Anton Boulevard and

then south to Irvine via Main Street.

* Street-level alternative No. 1 would cost $597 million and would

enter Costa Mesa via Bristol Street, proceed east on Sunflower Avenue and

then south to Irvine via Main Street.

* Street-level alternative No. 2 would cost $592 million and would

enter Costa Mesa from Main Street, proceed west into the South Coast

Metro area via Anton Boulevard and then double back on Anton before

proceeding south to Irvine via Main Street again.

The study outlines various levels of impacts related to noise,

vibrations and views in Costa Mesa. They include:

* the possibility that parts, or whole lots, of commercial property

may have to be bought if a connection is made to John Wayne Airport using

street-level alternative No. 1.

* moderate noise for three single-family homes on Anton Boulevard, the

Westin and the Marriott Suites under the elevated rail alternative.

* moderate noise at The Lakes at South Coast under street level

alternative No. 1.

The study also indicates that the bike trail on Anton Boulevard and a

proposed bike trail, which would circle the Sakioka farm site, would

intersect various rail route alternatives.

Various council members have expressed concerns about the possible

need to increase the number of buildings to accommodate the light rail

system. Last week, the council voted 4-1 to adopt a local plan that

provides guidelines to ensure that any future transit system is

compatible with adjacent land uses.

One of the recommendations on land use detailed in an engineering

report for Costa Mesa was to encourage mixed-use development in areas

near transit stations and along transit corridors. Those types of

developments are more transit-supportive, according to the report.

Not all council members agreed with such recommendations.

“I think it should clearly be stated from our city council that we’re

not going to let light rail ideas regarding densities of development in

our city be dictated by the needs of having an efficiently run light rail

system,” Councilman Joe Erickson said.

Erickson -- who voted in favor of the city’s light rail plan -- said

he believed there should be no increases in the density of residential

developments in area.

Councilwoman Heather Somers took an even more adamant stance against

the light rail, voting against the city plan because, she said, she

didn’t think the project should happen in Costa Mesa.

Somers said she had a problem with the multimillion dollar cost of the

project. Mostly, she said, she opposed the plan because she believes it

would require the city to allow more developments.

“Land densities are going to be dictated to (us) by the fact that we

have a transportation system that will suddenly need to be supported by

enough people to ride on it to be viable,” Somers said.

The public hearing on the EIR will be today from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at

the Neighborhood Community Center, 1845 Park Ave. Presentations will be

made at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Copies of the draft EIR are available at

the Mesa Verde branch library and online at o7 www.octa.net.f7 For

more information, call (714) 560-5598.